QBCC licence and other fees are set by regulation and increase according to the Government Indexation Rate. For 2024-2025, the Government Indexation Rate is zero percent. Therefore there was no fee increase on 1 July 2024.
Most plumbing work undertaken in Queensland is regulated and requires a QBCC licensed plumber or drainer to undertake the work. This is to protect the community's health and safety.
However there is some plumbing work that is unregulated and can be done by anyone with the appropriate knowledge and level of skills.
You don't need to be licensed under the current plumbing laws to undertake unregulated plumbing work, nor do you need approval by the QBCC or local government or report it.
You still need to ensure that the work still meets the minimum standards of work under the legislation and codes.
Unregulated work includes:
Consumers can still engage a licensed plumber or drainer to undertake this work.
Learn more about which plumbing work is regulated in Queensland and must be performed by a licensed contractor.
The Queensland residential construction industry is currently impacted by an Australia-wide shortage of building materials and skilled trades. The Accelerated Builder–Consumer Dispute Framework (ABCD) is a temporary independent mediation service that will be available from 1 July 2021 to help address these challenges.
Shortages of building materials and skilled trades are due to market forces amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and they are impacting everyone in the supply chain, from suppliers and builders to subcontractors, employees, and consumers. It is expected it will take some time for the industry to get back to its usual supply and operating rhythm.
The QBCC is working together with the Queensland Government and industry associations such as Master Builders Queensland and the Housing Industry Association to help everyone understand the challenges these shortages pose.
Delays, additional costs and their flow-on effects can have a significant personal impact. If you feel like you need support, please reach out to organisations that are there to help, including:
The Accelerated Builder–Consumer Dispute Framework (ABCD) is a temporary independent mediation service that will be available from 1 July 2021 to help address the challenges currently facing the residential construction industry.
The ABCD mediation service will match applicants with a qualified mediator, to help facilitate a conversation between parties experiencing issues with domestic building contracts underway due to industry material or labour shortages.
The mediation process provides an opportunity for impacted parties to discuss the situation, its impact and work towards a realistic solution together.
Applications are free and are subject to the following eligibility requirements:
Read the full eligibility criteria in the policy:
Accelerated builder-consumer dispute framework policy (PDF, 132KB)
You can apply by completing the online form:
It is essential to keep the lines of communication open with your clients so they understand the situation and you can manage expectations regarding the project.
To help with this, you may wish to share the following fact sheet with your clients:
Shortages in the residential construction industry factsheet (PDF, 165KB).
If you cannot access the building products you usually use and are considering alternatives, please ensure they conform to Australian building standards and your clients agree to the product change where required.
You may wish to seek an extension of time to complete the contract due to issues beyond your control. We recommend you contact the property owner before requesting an extension of time to explain the situation and seek their cooperation.
Under Schedule 1B, section 42 of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act), you can only claim an extension of time if the delay was:
Any extension of time request must be provided to the property owner within 10 business days of the builder or tradesperson becoming aware of the cause and extent of the delay, or when the builder or tradesperson reasonably ought to have become aware of the cause and extent of the delay. It is at the discretion of the property owner to approve or decline the request. You cannot adjust the date for practical completion without approval from the owner.
If you have tried to reach an agreement about impacts due to material or labour shortages but still have concerns, as a first step you can consider mediation.
If you belong to an industry association, such as Master Builders Queensland or the Housing Industry Association, your association may be able to assist with contractual disputes. The Queensland Government’s Accelerated Building / Consumer Dispute (ABCD) Framework is also an option.
When calculating the start and finish dates in your domestic building contracts, always make sure you allow for delays reasonably foreseeable and within your reasonable control at the time of contract signing.
It is essential in the current circumstances that you are especially careful when calculating the start date and date for practical completion to include in your domestic building contracts. Be sure to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays in the construction period.
It is recommended that you check the availability of key personnel (including engineers, certifiers and subcontractors, where relevant) and all major supplies before finalising these dates and signing the contract.
We also suggest you explain the impact of the current shortages to your clients so they have realistic expectations and understand the reasons for what may seem to them to be an extended construction period.
We have a range of licensee resources available:
If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact us.
During the construction, renovation or repair of your property, keep in contact with your builder or tradesperson to understand how industry labour or material shortages may impact your work and which measures can be put in place to address the situation.
Your builder or tradesperson may request an extension of time to complete your contract due to issues beyond their control. They may also seek your approval to use alternative products, if they cannot access the products they usually use or those specified in your contract.
Under Queensland legislation, your builder or tradesperson has an obligation when calculating the start and finish times for your project to include an allowance for all likely delays, which are reasonably foreseeable at the time of signing the contract.
Any extension of time request to your contract should be provided to you in writing within 10 business days of your builder or tradesperson becoming aware of the cause and extent of the delay, or when they reasonably ought to have become aware of the cause and extent of the delay. It is your decision to either approve or decline the request for an extension of time. Your builder or tradesperson cannot adjust the date for practical completion without your approval.
It is recommended you consider obtaining your own legal advice if you are looking to make changes to an existing contract due to industry shortages.
If you have tried to reach an agreement about labour or material shortages but still have concerns, as a first step you can consider mediation.
The Queensland Government’s Accelerated Building / Consumer Dispute (ABCD) Framework may be a suitable option.
If you are looking to build or renovate, we suggest you discuss the current industry shortages with your builder or tradesperson. Ask them about what delays they anticipate and seek confirmation that they have incorporated reasonable allowances when calculating the start and practical completion dates stated in the contract. Check also with your builder or tradesperson to make sure that the materials they need for your work are available.
It is also important that if you are likely to incur extra costs if the builder or tradesperson does not complete the work within the time allowed for in the contract (including any lawful extensions of time), you carefully consider and insert a reasonable daily amount for liquidated damages to compensate you. You can find more information about liquidated damages in our Domestic building contracts—information for owners and contractors (PDF, 918KB)
You should also be aware of risks associated with cost-plus contracts. A cost-plus contract involves a “pay as you go” arrangement, with no certainty as to the final cost of the work.
Regardless of the impacts of market forces, Queensland laws that help protect consumers and keep the Queensland building and construction industry safe and sustainable still apply.
We have a range of home owner resources available:
If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact us.
This information is general in nature. It does not constitute legal advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as such. For advice regarding a specific project or contract you should obtain formal legal advice from a practising lawyer.
Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in the building industry between the 1940s and 1980s because it was good at insulating and resisting heat. However, it has small fibres that can cause fatal lung disease if inhaled and has now been banned.
If your house was built before 1990 there's a good chance it contains some asbestos. The substance was banned in building products in 1990, but some houses built in the 1990s or early 2000s still used asbestos-containing products until a total ban came into effect in 2003.
Asbestos fibres can be deadly if inhaled as they can cause lung cancer, lung scarring and other lung conditions. Each year more Australians die of asbestos-related diseases than car crashes, so you need to take care when renovating if you suspect your home contains asbestos.
Loose asbestos fibres can be a risk to both tradespeople and people living in the home.
Asbestos was used in a wide range of products, from floor surfaces to insulation, and can be dangerous if disturbed.
Home owners often think of asbestos sheeting in walls or ceilings, but it can be found in nearly every room of the house, including:
The Queensland Government asbestos product gallery shows some of the more commonly used asbestos products.
You can also use our interactive tool to see where asbestos might be lurking in your home:
Consult a professional. You can't tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. The only way to know for sure is to test a sample in a lab.
So, before you disturb or remove material that may contain asbestos make sure you get a sample tested.
A licensed remover can do the testing — find a list of licenced removers at Worksafe Queensland.
Asbestos fibres can create lung disease if inhaled.
This means it's vital you prevent asbestos fibres from becoming airborne by following safe work procedures if you are working with asbestos. This protects both the tradespeople doing the work and people living in the house.
Removing asbestos is licensed by Workplace Health and Safety.
The licence required depends on what type of asbestos you are removing:
This can be easily crumbled by hand when dry.
Common examples are acoustic ceilings and tiles, many types of plasters, wallboard, sprayed asbestos insulation, and pipe and boiler insulation.
As of 1 May 2021 Low Density Asbestos Fibre Board (LDB) has been re-classified as a friable asbestos material.
This contains a binder or hardening agent such as cement, asphalt or vinyl and is difficult to damage by hand.
Common examples are asphalt roofing shingles, vinyl asbestos floor tiles, asbestos cement sheets (fibro), and electrical switchboards.
You do not need a licence to remove less than 10m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, but you must take safety precautions and dispose of the waste safely.
Asbestos-containing material must be disposed of properly or hefty fines apply. You can't dump asbestos waste in:
Check with your local council for their rules on safely disposing asbestos-containing materials.
Contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WPS) for more information on working with asbestos.